ML26051A108
| ML26051A108 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Issue date: | 02/20/2026 |
| From: | Pimentel F Nuclear Energy Institute |
| To: | Jon Greives Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk |
| References | |
| NEI 23-03, Rev. 1 | |
| Download: ML26051A108 (0) | |
Text
Frances Pimentel Senior Project Manager, Fuel & Radiation Safety Phone: 202.341.7491 Email: fap@nei.org February 20, 2026 Mr. Jonathan Greives Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001
Subject:
Request for Review and Endorsement of NEI 23-03, Revision 1, Supplemental Guidance for Application of 10 CFR 50.59 to Digital Modifications at Non-Power Production or Utilization Facilities.
Project Number: 689
Dear Mr. Greives:
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)1 is pleased to submit for NRCs review and endorsement NEI 23-03, Revision 1, Supplemental Guidance for Application of 10 CFR 50.59 to Digital Modifications at Non-Power Production or Utilization Facilities. This document was developed with assistance from the National Organization of Test, Research, and Training Reactors (TRTR), and other non-power production or utilization facility (NPUF)2 licensees.
NEI 23-03, Revision 1, reflects extensive engagement with NRC technical staff over the past year to support implementation of 10 CFR 50.59 for digital modifications at NPUFs. Through these discussions, the TRTR and NPUF community worked with the NRC staff to develop a consistent and practical approach to evaluating such changes. For consistency, efficiency, and ease of review, it is modeled after NEI 96-07, Revision 1, Guidelines for 10 CFR 50.59 Implementation, which was issued in 2000 and endorsed by the NRC, as well as NEI 21-06, Revision 1, which was also endorsed by the NRC in 2022. This alignment with previously 1 The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) is responsible for establishing unified policy on behalf of its members relating to matters affecting the nuclear energy industry, including the regulatory aspects of generic operational and technical issues. NEIs members include entities licensed to operate commercial nuclear power plants in the United States, nuclear plant designers, major architect and engineering firms, fuel cycle facilities, nuclear materials licensees, and other organizations involved in the nuclear energy industry.
2 NPUF collectively refers to production or utilization facilities, licensed under § 50.21(a) or (c), or § 50.22, as applicable, that are not a nuclear power reactor or a production facility as defined under paragraphs (1) and (2) of the definition of production facility in § 50.2 Definitions.
Mr. Jonathan Greives February 20, 2026 Page 2 Nuclear Energy Institute endorsed guidance is intended to promote regulatory clarity and a predictable framework for both licensees and the NRC.
NEI believes that there is mutual interest in reviewing and endorsing NEI 23-03, Revision 1. For your awareness, NEI is submitting a fee exemption request to the NRCs Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to cover all activities involved in the review and endorsement of NEI 23-03, Revision 1. NEI does not agree to any Part 170 fees should the CFO deny NEIs fee waiver request.
On behalf of the TRTR and NPUF community, we look forward to future engagements with the NRR staff to achieve NRCs endorsement of this proposed guidance for the benefit of NRC and licensees alike.
Please contact me should you have any questions.
Sincerely, Frances Pimentel Senior Project Manager Fuel and Radiation Safety Attachment CC:
Jeff Rady, NRR/DANU/UNPL Andrew Miller, NRR/DANU/UNPL Cameron Goodwin, Chair of TRTR NRC Document Control Desk